In Which I Should Have Stayed Home

Because I’m greedy and picked up overtime tonight. According to the Globe and Mail:

A crowd of black-clad protesters with bandanas covering their faces moved around the city centre, damaging property along the way. Several police cruisers were vandalized and two were lit ablaze as flames and black smoke billowed into the air. Sparks flew into the air from small explosions. Firefighters finally arrived after about 15 minutes.

Tear gas was deployed at College Street and University Avenue shortly after 4:30 p.m. ET, but a police spokesman said he did not know whether it was used by police or protesters.

Demonstrators also broke the windows of dozens of businesses, including a Scotiabank, CIBC, a McDonald’s and a Starbucks. Protesters also threw bricks at a CBC van, breaking its windows. TTC streetcars were abandoned on Queen Street; two were spraypainted with anti-summit graffiti and anarchy symbols.

Wish me luck. Into the breach I go — just hoping it all stays downtown. (Sorry Maha!)

My goodness! I’ve been following the news all afternoon and can’t believe the amount of chaos that is going on! All the hospitals on University Ave. are on lockdown and so many of my friends are stuck at work until it is deemed safe to leave the building. A few of my friends made it safely to their work place via lesser travelled roads and not running into any unruly protesters. It sure looks scary downtown! I wish everyone would just protest peacefully! There is no need for violence!

Peace to your work this weekend. I hope they keep hospital row closed off for sake of the patients and staff. I really want to be there right now to help patients at the hospital, but volunteers not allowed to come on shift.